Monthly Archives: March 2015

Another Advanced Reader Copy this pedometer geek received in a Goodreads giveaway was Maya Banks’ novel, Keep Me Safe, the first in the Slow Burn series. This was the first of her novels that I’ve read, but it probably won’t be the last. This is the extended review for Keep Me Safe.

A psychic, a psychopath, and a rich man walk into a bar, (actually a story, but I digress), but doesn’t it sound like the beginning on a joke? Psychic Ramie St. Clair is such a powerful psychic that she can find people by touching objects that they have touched, and she has, repeatedly, but at great cost to herself. Each time she locates a missing person, she not only can locate that person, but she undergoes what the person is undergoing. Even more than that, those feelings and impressions linger long after the person is found.

Caleb Devereaux searches out the elusive Ramie to help locate his sister Tori, who has been kidnapped. He pushes Ramie into the untenable position of helping him, and she does so with extreme reluctance. Seeing what it costs Ramie makes him sorry for his actions, yet he realizes there is something special about her and between them. Vowing to make things right for her, he returns after Tori’s rescue, only to find that Ramie has vanished from her place of sanctuary. Despite his search, he can’t find her again.

Meanwhile Ramie is being stalked by another man, a man who may be psychic himself as well as a psychopath with whom she once crossed paths. He is relentless in his pursuit, and all of Ramie’s abilities have made her into a fragile, un-trusting woman. When he nearly catches her, she calls Caleb for help. It is only after Ramie contacts him in a time of desperation that they re-connect. This time Caleb vows to protect her, keep her safe, and risks everything as a madman is out to kill her and destroy all she holds dear.

Part romance, part suspense, this novel combines the two well. Caleb and Ramie form a bond that is tested over and over as the psychopath manipulates them both. Slowly and carefully, the suspense builds giving the reader pause as to whether their love is strong enough to survive and just how many will die at his hands (including the main characters). The tale is suspenseful and riveting and will keep the reader engaged to the end.

Discovering another new author, Kinsley Gibb, through a Goodreads giveaway, this pedometer geek read her first novel in the Sugar Bay series, His Kind of Perfect. Here is an extended review of this book.

His Kind of Perfect
By Kinsley Gibb
Published by Create Space Independent Publishing, 2014
ISBN: 9781500720001

His Kind of Perfect is a contemporary romance set in the Florida town of Sugar Bay. For thirty-eight year-old Anabelle Broussard, who worries about being perfect, Sugar Bay may be just too small as too many people know of her past, thus making her the subject of small town gossip and too many times of hearing “bless her heart.” For in Sugar Bay, that’s the ultimate form of expressing pity, and after a couple years, she’s tired of it and ready to move on.

By moving on, she wants to start dating again after a few years post-divorce. While her business seems to be flourishing, her dating life is not. Everyone (her mother Claire, her best friend, and even an online matchmaking service) wants to set her up with the perfect man.

Yet, the one man, Derek Wheaton, who most interests her, is unfortunately younger, and, for her, that is a stumbling block. How much younger the book never indicates, but he is definitely into her. Hot, sexy Derek has been lusting after her for over a year, biding his time because of her hands off vibe, but he gets his chance with her, finally.

When a chance encounter (or perhaps not-so-chance encounter) gives him his much needed opportunity to get closer to her, he goes for it, and she goes for him. He’s got a short period, which she’s arbitrarily imposed upon him, to prove he’s just what she wants (and needs).

Can he convince her that he is perfect for her and, moreover, that the age difference isn’t an issue? Can she let go of the notion that she might be a cougar? And that he is more than a boy toy, more than a friend with benefits? If she can forget about the naysayers, she might just find the love of a lifetime.

Spicy and erotic, this is a fun, contemporary romance novel, yet it isn’t overly graphic. It is more about the connection and growing intimacy between Anabelle and Derek. The novel is more about what goes into making a relationship work and getting past those naysayers (even those internal ones) and gossips to forge a happiness and love that works for the couple. In fact, as a change of pace, it is Derek who is the more compelling of the two main characters; he’s the one that the reader feels for and wants to see win his love.

The only criticism would be that there are a few too many typos within the text. For example, the female lead’s name was misspelled as Annabelle a couple of times. Another proofreading (or two) of the manuscript before printing might have alleviated many of these. However, the story is engaging so that it may be possible to overlook most of them.

Overall, though, it was a nice change of pace in a romance novel, and this reader would be willing to read others in the Sugar Bay series. Looking forward to checking out His Kind of Wonderful and His Kind of Crazy in the future.

This pedometer geek was honored to be gifted with a signed copy of Alison DeLaine’s novel, A Promise by Daylight. I had previously have read and reviewed another of the author’s novels, A Wedding by Dawn, and she graciously sent me the third in the series. This is the extended review of it.

A Promise by Daylight
By Alison DeLaine
Published by Black Canyon Creations, LLC
Through Harlequin HQN, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-373-77894-2

A Promise by Daylight is the third in a series of historical romance novels primarily set in England and France. The story features Millicent Germain, who is masquerading as male medic, Miles Germain, and the Duke of Winston as the romantic leads.

Winston, as he is called, has had a near-fatal accident and needs care for his injuries. More than this, though, he vows to reform his ways of carousing and debauchery, but this is easier said than done as he is infamous for his conquests and misdeeds. He hires a medic, who has been recommended by one of his many female friends (who happens to be a friend of Millicent as well).

This medic, however, is Millicent, a former ship’s surgeon, who dreams of becoming a physician in a time when women weren’t. Posing as Miles, she nurses him back to health all the while desiring to go Greece where there is a medical school nearby. As Miles, she will be able to get the education she so desires. As she tends to his wounds, she also attempts to get Winston to change his lecherous ways into healthier ones.

In a fit of pique over his planned trip to Greece, he heads back to his estate in England taking Miles with him. There he discovers that his suspicions about Miles are correct; he is actually a she. Unfortunately, having seen evidence of Miles’ gender, only makes Winston more intrigued with her. She and his other staff try to interest him in other females, but suddenly his promise to himself to change his ways becomes paramount. Yet, despite this vow, he seeks to entice Miles, and the sparks between the two fly.

On the one hand, he wants her; on the other hand, he doesn’t wish to take her virginity nor reveal her gender. Keeping her secret becomes more and more difficult as they finally become romantically entangled.

Still, Miles makes the decision to leave Winston’s employ; she’ll return to the sea as a ship’s surgeon. Eventually, she can’t handle the disparity between their two classes. She is a commoner,(to her way of thinking, she’s a nobody); he is a duke. All she feels he can offer her is to become his mistress and to her, that is unthinkable. (It is one thing to be paid for her medical expertise, it is quite another to be paid for other services.)

Will Millie find a way to become a physician? Can Winston ever keep his promise made to himself? Will Winston ever realize that he has found the woman of his dreams? Will these two lovers ever find their way back to each other and achieve a happily-ever-after? These are just some of the questions that are answered in this romance.

Romances are fairly predictable, but this novel has some unique aspects to it that makes reading it enjoyable. The author puts her characters in unpredictable roles as is the case of Millicent working as a medic and ship’s surgeon. (A slight digression: I often note What-the-tuck trends seen in the books I read…to my recollection, there wasn’t one green-eyed character mentioned in the story.)

Although this is the third in the series, it can be read without having read the others. The author brings in some of the other characters from the previous two novels, but this story centers on primarily on Winston and Millicent. This tale even resolves issues from the other two stories without leaving the reader in the lurch wondering what the back-story is because the author fills in with enough explanatory details to satisfy an unenlightened reader if a previous novel hasn’t been read. So, pick up anyone of DeLaine’s novels and discover a new voice in historical romance.

As for this reader, I just picked up a copy of A Gentleman ’til Midnight and plan on reading it in the next few weeks.

Originally posted on http://www.nbsmithblog.wordpress.com, this pedometer geek is posting it here as well since the review for its sequel, A Promise by Daylight is to be posted here soon.

Another Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) I was privileged to receive through a Shelf Awareness giveaway was a historical romance novel, A Wedding by Dawn by Alison DeLaine. Here is my extended review.

A Wedding by Dawn
By Alison DeLaine
Published by Black Canyon Creations, LLC
Through Harlequin HQN, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-373-77868-3

Alison DeLaine’s new historical romance is set primarily in France and England. The story features Lady India Sinclair and Nicholas Warre as the romantic leads. Green-eyed Nicholas Warre has inherited a title and lands in England, but is in debt to the extent that he needs the money that will come to him when he marries Lady India. Moreover, he needs this money quickly as his debts are coming due and is jeopardy of losing his home to his debtor, Holliswell.

India does not wish to be married; she has been locked away by her father for years, and she is afraid that marriage to anyone will be like trading one prison cell for another. Therefore, she runs away to the sea, but as the novel opens, the pair meets in a tavern in Malta.

Nicholas needs the money and could care less what India looks like (although she is gorgeous with blue eyes, long, golden honey-colored hair, and a well-endowed figure); India is there attempting to lose her virtue to ruin herself for the man to whom her father plans to marry her off. He rescues her from a potential assailant and then plans to marry her by dawn. Suffice it to say, he doesn’t marry her the next day, however. Otherwise, this would have been a short story rather than a novel.

Throughout the story, she continues in her attempt to escape as they travel in France toward Paris. Neither wishes to admit to his or her attraction to the other; in fact, they both act aloof, which soon becomes a contest of wills. Each of them has their own vulnerabilities to hide even to the point that once he forces her into marriage, they have even more reason to not trust the other. Neither can admit nor express what they are truly feeling. Because of this, each is prepared to let the other one go. It is only the intervention of a half-sister, Emilie, and her vulnerabilities that finally allow them to stand up for the love they have for each other.

Romance, as a genre, is fairly predictable. Yet, in this novel, there are some novelties that do not show up in most romances. For example, one of the more unique aspects was the fact that neither India nor Nicholas declares his love for the other until the very last chapter. Each privately thinks it, but would not publicly announce it. While this isn’t the only variation seen, for a change of pace, those who enjoy reading romances might wish to give Alison DeLaine’s story a try. I know I shall be checking out some of her others like A Gentleman ’Til Midnight or A Promise by Daylight.

Discovering new authors is always great, and when that is coupled with an Advanced Reader Copy of a new novel, it is even better. Such was the case with Tracey Garvis Graves’ new novel, Every Time I Think of You, which was received as a First Reads Goodreads giveaway. Here is the extended review.

Every Time I Think of You
By Tracey Garvis Graves
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2014
ISBN# 9781500590000

As the back cover states: Thirty-year-old Daisy DiStefano has two people she holds dear: the grandmother who raised her, and her three-year-old son, Elliott. But when her grandmother is killed in a seemingly random act of violence, Daisy must take steps to protect herself and her child.

The novel opens with the murder of her grandmother while her son cowers under his mother’s bed protected by a small toy soldier clutched tightly in his hand. Scared and alone, Elliott remains under the bed until rescued by a police officer.

With few clues (and a traumatized three-year-old as a witness), the police are baffled as to a motive, but the new reporter on the local paper, Brooks McClain, is drawn into the case especially after he first meets Daisy and then meets Elliott.

Brooks has recently returned home to help care for his mother, who is dying of the ravaging disease, ALS (which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). While temporarily home from his full-time position as a reporter at a newspaper in San Francisco, he becomes more than a little involved with all the events (and people) of this case.

Romance slowly blossoms between Daisy and Brooks as they spend more and more time together, yet because of the temporary nature of Brooks’ return to his hometown, eventually distance may tear them apart when he goes back to San Francisco. Will the murder ever be solved? Can there be a happily-ever-after for Daisy and Brooks?

Both suspenseful and romantic, the story, which is told through the perspective of the two main characters of Daisy and Brooks, draws the reader in. Daisy, Brooks, and Elliott are decent people, people who are likeable with good values, yet they are far from perfect. So, too, are the ancillary characters of Pauline Thorpe (Daisy’s grandmother), Shane and Pam (Daisy’s friends who have helped her through divorce), and Theo (Brooks’ father), but there are also some baddies like Scott (Daisy’s ex-husband and father to Elliott), and Dale (Scott’s drug-addicted housemate).

Issues of drug use (especially meth use and tweaking) and how it can affect or even destroy families are addressed in the story. All in all, this is a thoroughly compelling story that will keep the reader engaged to the end and rooting for a happy ending for this family.

Of particular note, the author brings the reader into the world of a three-year-old. Elliott’s language skills, or lack thereof, are spot on. His seeming obliviousness juxtaposition with moments of innocent clarity and allow for lighter moments in this recommended read.

As an introduction to this writer, it makes this pedometer geek look forward to reading others by this author.

The latest Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) that this pedometer geek read was The Secrets of Life and Death by Rebecca Alexander. This novel was provided by Blogging for Books (and this review will also be posted there, but I digress).

The Secrets of Life and Death
By Rebecca Alexander
Published by Broadway Books, 2014
(originally published in the United Kingdom by Del Ray, 2013)
ISBN: 978-0-8041-4068-3

This debut novel by Rebecca Alexander blends several genres as she deftly intertwines the past with the present. Part fantasy, part mystery, and part suspense, she slowly tells the stories of the various characters, both real and imaginary.

The two story lines are eventually linked together in a tale that combines life, death, and magic. Told from the perspectives of the past (Krakow 1585) and the present (England 2013), the two tales collide in a mysterious set of circumstances.

The novel’s characters of Dr. John Dee, Edward Kelley (Dee’s assistant), and Elizabeth Bathory are historically factual. So too is the Inquisition, and the bits and pieces of Kelley’s diaries included add to the verisimilitude of the tale of their cure of the dying Elizabeth.

Present day characters of Jackdaw Hammond and Felix Guichard are strictly the product of the author’s imagination. Jack, as she is known to her friends, is trying to protect Sadie, a young girl, from dying. With various herbal decoctions and protective sigils, she nurses the girl back from death. She eventually teams up with Guichard, a professor in occult practices. Together, they attempt to keep Sadie alive. Jack understands all too well what is going on as she, too, is one who would be dead except for these inscribed symbols and herbal drinks.

Jack and Felix work to unravel the mysteries of Kelley’s diaries to more fully understand what is going on as someone seems to be hunting down both of these women. When the past catches up with Jack and Sadie, they find that they are not the only borrowed timers. Can Jack and Felix protect Sadie, or will they all die trying?

Overall, this is a suspenseful read that contains occult magic at its core. The combination of the historic and present-day characters makes for an intriguing read, and this reader looks forward to reading more by this author.

To avoid spoilers, this review is specifically vague, but most of this could be deduced from reading the back cover. As an aside, this novel was filled with at least three green-eyed characters (Jack, Felix, and Zsofia the healer). There may have been other What-the-tuck trends, but this one was the only one noted.